Trinity Rodman Calls Out Dad Dennis Amid Wimbledon Feud

Trinity Rodman hitting out at the BBC’s Andrew Castle for mentioning her absent father has brought their troubled relationship to the forefront this week.

The American soccer player, 23, took issue with the reference to her estranged dad while supporting her boyfriend and No.10 seed Ben Shelton at Wimbledon.

Trinity publicly called out Andrew on Instagram for calling her ‘Dennis Rodman’s daughter’ and getting her name wrong on-air, referring to her as Tiffany by mistake.

The sports star, who won an apology from the BBC after the incident, insisted that she doesn’t even like her father being mentioned at her games, let alone her partner’s.

Trinity, who plays for Washington Spirit and the U.S. national women’s team, has openly spoken about her strained relationship with the NBA Hall of Famer, who became known for living an outlandish, womanising lifestyle.

Hitting out Andrew for his coverage, Trinity doubled down on her feud with her famous father and wrote on her page on Tuesday: ‘For those who don’t know, my name is TRINITY not Tiffany.

Trinity Rodman hitting out at the BBC ‘s Andrew Castle for mentioning her absent father has brought their troubled relationship to the forefront this week

The American soccer player, 23, took issue with the reference to her estranged dad while supporting her boyfriend and No.10 seed Ben Shelton (pictured) at Wimbledon

Trinity publicly called out Andrew on Instagram for calling her ‘Dennis Rodman’s daughter’ and getting her name wrong on-air, referring to her as Tiffany by mistake (pictured 2017)

‘Also, for Ben’s matches he has his family there as a support system, which includes his dad. My dad is not even in MY life, no need to bring him up during HIS matches when I don’t even want him talked about during mine. It’s him and his loved ones’ moment. Thank you.’

‘HE’S NOT A DAD’

Dennis divorced from Trinity’s mother Michelle Moyer in 2012 and went long periods without speaking to his daughter and ‘wasn’t really a father’, Trinity confessed in a heartbreaking interview with Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper last year.

Rather, the five-time NBA champion’s interest in being a parent was practically non-existent when the cameras weren’t around.

Trinity, who was primarily raised with her brother DJ Rodman by their mother Michelle Moyer in southern California, told the podcast host: ‘He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else.

‘We tried to live with him,’ she added, likely referring to herself and brother DJ. ‘But he’s having parties 24/7, bringing random b****es in. He loves the spotlight’

Much of the incredibly candid interview centred on Dennis, 64, and his frequent absences from Trinity’s life.

Dennis was known just as much for partying as he was for defense and rebounding over two decades in professional basketball.

But when he finally stepped away from the game after a stint with a British team in 2006, Dennis didn’t slow down and has since sought treatment for alcohol abuse.

Trinity with her brother DJ, mother Michelle and father Dennis pictured in 2006

Trinity and Dennis pictured during her childhood

Speaking with Alex, Trinity didn’t hesitate to call her father an ‘alcoholic.’ But for all the drama surrounding Dennis’ personal life, Trinity said she still felt a need to protect his public image, as tarnished as it was.

She said: ‘We never want to make him look bad. And that is at the cost of kind of holding in a lot. I guess it’s just like the anger that I haven’t really been able to let out is, like, difficult for me.’

Dennis was noticeably absent from Trinity’s games, albeit for one NWSL quarterfinal in 2021. The problem was, Dennis tell anyone he’d be attending.

She explained: ‘He showed up to my game, I was like so mad. My mom had no idea until he was like, there. And I think she got a call or something. But they were in a suite, field side. And again, going in my rookie year, going into a quarterfinal, I’m already s***ing my pants as it is. I’m stressed, like, ”Oh my gosh, we have to win.”

‘We go, I’m playing… and I hear it,’ said Trinity, who hadn’t seen her father for months prior to this. ‘And his voice to me is like (makes high-pitched ringing noise) so I hear him go: ”Let’s go Rodman, let’s go Trinity.”

‘And I’m like, ”oh my f***ing gosh.” Like, there’s no way this is happening right now.’

Trinity soon found herself crying on the field as teammates huddled for a water break. Her absentee father was suddenly consuming her thoughts during the biggest game of her young career.

Teammate and close friend Ashley Sanchez quickly noticed the problem.

Her father hadn’t been to any of Trinity’s NWSL games until late in her rookie season

Trinity opened up to Alex Cooper (pictured) in an episode of Call Her Daddy last year

‘And she knew immediately,’ Trinty continued. ‘She was like, ”Oh f***.’ She gave me a hug, she was like, ”It’s OK. Let’s just finish this half, we’ll talk in the locker room at halftime. Just finish this half. Don’t think about it.”

‘I was like, ”Sure, let me just forget,”’ Trinity laughed. ‘Easy advice.’

Washington ended up winning the game, but headlines afterwards centered around an emotional moment she shared with Dennis following the final whistle.

The image of Dennis hugging Trinity went viral, as did her post-match comments about her hopes for their relationship.

But the reality of the situation was far different.

‘The whistle blew and I was so mad. I was like: ”You took this happy moment from me. You f***ed with my head again,”’ she told Cooper. ‘And he did it so many times. I think he knows what he does.’

But when she went to confront Dennis, her 6-foot-8 father pulled her towards him and offered a fatherly hug.

‘I walk over there, he grabs my head and I just start balling into his arms as if it’s like a daddy-daughter, like…’ Trinity said, trailing off.

Dennis did offer to connect with her in Washington.

The image of Dennis hugging Trinity went viral, as did her post-match comments about her hopes for their relationship (pictured)

These days, Trinity doesn’t even have her father’s number, in part, because it’s always changing, but also because she doesn’t feel pressured to keep track of it

‘He was like, ”I want to see you soon, I’m in DC,” she said. ‘I was like, ‘OK.’ And after that, radio silence. I didn’t seem him again until like, this year. I didn’t talk to him or see him until, I think, right after the World Cup.’

Again, Trinity felt foolish for hoping to have a relationship with Dennis.

‘Stupid me for thinking that was going to be some new spark,’ she said. ‘That was me every single time. He would come around, I would be like: ”OK, here it is again. We’re going to start something. He’s going to be around.’ Boom, months and months and months. This time it was years. And I was just like, OK, cool.’

These days, Trinity doesn’t even have her father’s number, in part, because it’s always changing, but also because she doesn’t feel pressured to keep track of it.

Dennis has tried to reach out, but Trinity isn’t exactly waiting on him.

‘He had called me, even these past couple of weeks, he has been trying to call me,’ she said. ‘And it was a Texas number. Didn’t know he lived in Texas. So that’s news to me.’

Trinity said that she does not even have his number saved on her phone.

She said: ‘I answer the phone now for my conscience, to be like, he needed to hear my voice before anything else happens.

‘That’s why I answer the phone, not for me. He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else.’

TOO LATE TO SAY SORRY

Following the interview, Trinity refused to accept a public apology from Dennis after he vowed to repair their broken relationship – branding his online olive branch a ‘joke’.

After the damning interview, Dennis sent an apology to Trinity on Instagram, insisting he will keep trying to fix things with her no matter how long it takes.

Following the interview, Trinity refused to accept a public apology from Dennis after he vowed to repair their broken relationship – branding his online olive branch a ‘joke’

Dennis apologised to Trinity and vowed to keep trying to repair their fractured relationship

‘Sorry I wasn’t the Dad you wanted me to be but either way I still tried and I still Try and Never will Stop,’ he wrote along with a selection of photos of them together. ‘I will keep Trying even when you’re being told as an adult not to respond to my phone calls. I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time.

‘I’m always here And tell you all the time rather it’s your voice or voicemail how proud I am. I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me. Hopefully one day I can get that. I’m here and I’m still trying pick up the phone you have my number, You see me calling, I’m still here Dennis RODMAN- Dad’.

At the end of his apology, Dennis added about her claim that he was absent for most of her soccer games: ‘I watch you play All the time (actually flew in to watch you play and was told not to show up bc who I was with instead and me just wanting to support you.

‘So I watched you from my hotel balcony just to make everybody happy. I love All My Kids #untold #storys’.

However, his attempt to reconnect with his estranged daughter didn’t go down well, with Trinity instead claiming she is ‘done’ with him in a furious response.

‘A joke. The response alone. And the attention. Wiping my hands with it I’m done. Thank you [thumbs up emoji]’.

Following the interview, Trinity refused to accept a public apology from Dennis after he vowed to repair their broken relationship – branding his online olive branch a ‘joke’

BBC BACKLASH

Trinity won an apology after BBC commentator Andrew Castle repeatedly got her name wrong on-air and mentioned her estranged father.

Trinity hit out online after the tennis pundit wrongly referred to her as ‘Tiffany’.

Now the BBC has said sorry on behalf of Castle, who twice competed at Wimbledon during his playing days in the 1980s, for ‘mispronouncing’ her name during this fortnight’s coverage from the All-England Club in south-west London.

Trinity and Dennis’ family connection came up various times during the BBC’s broadcasts as she cheered on her boyfriend Shelton at Wimbledon.

Andrew was heard saying during coverage of Shelton’s previous play, when cameras focused on Trinity: ‘Her father is Dennis Rodman, who’s one of the greatest sportsmen of all time in my opinion.

‘The greatest rebounder in NBA history and the biggest wind-up merchant of all time.’

Internet critics accused him of committing a ‘micro-aggression’ and showing a ‘lack of care’ for Trinity.

She used her Instagram account to criticise former GMTV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Castle, 61, over his Wimbledon coverage.

Trinity has been cheering on her boyfriend Ben Shelton, number 10 seed in the men’s singles

Wimbledon commentator and former British No 1 Castle has been criticised for his comments

She posted on Instagram following mentions on-air by BBC pundit Andrew Castle

She has posted on Instagram in response: ‘For those who don’t know, my name is TRINITY not Tiffany.

‘Also, for Ben’s matches he has his family there as a support system, which includes his dad.

‘My dad is not even in MY life, no need to bring him up during HIS matches when I don’t even want him talked about during mine. It’s him and his loved ones’ moment. Thank you.’

Her message has received online support from fans – and now the BBC has responded to the backlash.

A BBC spokesman has now said on Castle’s behalf: ‘Andrew apologises for mispronouncing Trinity Rodman’s name during the Ben Shelton vs. Lorenzo Sonego match.’

Trinity and Ben have been hailed as a new sporting ‘power couple’ during his run to the quarter-finals of the men’s singles, before he lost out on a place in the semi-final to world No.1 Janik Sinner on Wednesday

Trinity was not been the only one capturing attention while cheering on Shelton – his sister Emma has also appeared among his biggest fans.

And he made a move to return the favour by issuing a televised plea to banking giant Morgan Stanley in the hopes of extending her holiday break from working for the firm.

Trinity and Ben went public with their high-profile sports relationship in March

Trinity(left) has been seen alongside brother Ben’s sister Emma Shelton (right)

Emma, 24, who works at Morgan Stanley, has become a viral sensation at Wimbledon, after supporting her younger brother courtside throughout the tournament

During a post-match interview following his win against Marton Fucsovics last Saturday, Ben revealed how Emma, who he described as his ‘lucky charm’ was scheduled to fly back to the US for work.

Ben explained: ‘My sister’s here. She’s been here for every match I’ve played in this tournament so far.

‘She’s been the lucky charm. But she has work back in the US starting on Monday. She works for Morgan Stanley.’

Loud booing erupted in the crowd as the camera captured Emma, who was seen laughing with her hands over her mouth.

‘Ay ay ay! Come on now,’ Ben continued, before he jokingly tried to get her out of her work commitment.

‘If any of y’all have some connects and can get her a couple extra days off, we’re gonna keep this rolling, and that would be great,’ said the tennis star.

Ben has since posted a video to his Instagram Stories that showed Emma jumping up and down as he asked her: ‘You got the week off or what? Shoutout Morgan Stanley.’

On Monday, Emma was spotted back in the stands, cheering Ben on during his fourth-round match against Sonego.

One of the announcers declared how she was ‘still around here because Ben’s urging probably helped her company, her employer let her stay a little longer and skip a little more work’.